Gilson Building

Gilson is the Sixth Form boarding house for both Year 12 and 13 girls from September 2025, day girls are now based in the adjacent Sixth Form Centre.

Gilson opened in September 2009, our newest boarding building, it provides modern, purpose-built accommodation. Gilson is home to around half of the 100+ girls in our Sixth Form.

Boarders are given their own study bedroom, there are ample shared bathroom facilities for girls to use, whilst the Head of House and another senior prefect are rewarded with an en-suite bathroom. Girls usually congregate in the common room which is ideal for socialising, with comfortable sofas, kitchen facilities and a breakfast bar.

Boarders can enjoy a multitude of weekend activities including shopping trips, paint-balling, cinema and bowling. A substantial amount of time in the evening is spent doing prep but there is also time for relaxing. Many choose to spend evenings in front of the TV, having a well-earned, quiet and relaxing night after a long day. Girls often enjoy making homemade pizzas or having a takeaway together, movie nights in house are also popular. Girls are allowed to socialise in the other buildings and are often invited to College Building (Sixth Form boys' boarding) for karaoke or barbecues in the summer.

Houseparent: Ms Liz Mattey

Ms Mattey joined the College in 2025 and before that worked as an Assistant Houseparent at Kent College, a full-time role looking after pastoral and academic progress of 40 students.  She has taught in prep and primary schools since 2009 and has recently completed a Masters in Character Education. 

 

Deputy Houseparent: Miss Freya Addison

Miss Addison joined Gilson in 2025 from a similar role in a school in Bath, she combined this with coaching rowing at junior and senior level as well as leading on development rowing.

Miss Addison is also an Non Uniformed Volunteer in the CCF so will bring a wide variety of skills and experience to her role at Shiplake.

 

Pastoral Leader and Tutors

Mrs Leesa Guillaud
House Pastoral Leader

Miss Keli Jiggens
Photography

Mrs Louise Rapple Moore
Careers

Mrs Emma Farrell
Drama

Miss Sioned Russell
History

Gilson Contacts

Name	Number	Address
Houseparent Ms Liz Mattey	0118 970 4811	[email protected]
Deputy Houseparent Miss Freya Addison	0118 970 4849	[email protected]
Matron Mrs Leesa Guillaud		[email protected]
Duty Tutor	0118 970 4849 7.00pm-10.15pm only
Address		Gilson Building, Shiplake College, Henley-on-Thames, Oxon, RG9 4BW
Medical Centre	0118 940 5233	[email protected]
Reception	0118 940 2455	[email protected]
School Office (Transport) Mrs Sue Arpino	0118 940 2455	[email protected]
Bursar	0118 940 5202	[email protected]
Billing	0118 940 5201	[email protected]

Please note that the College Management Information System is expected to hold current contact information for parents and guardians, including address, home and mobile telephone numbers and email.

If your information changes during the year, please inform the Housemaster and the College Office, as soon as possible.

Mobile telephone numbers for all pupils will be held by the Houseparent.